A Methodological Framework to Study Change in Team Cognition Under the Dynamical Hypothesis

The dynamical hypothesis claims that cognitive systems, such as teams, are dynamical systems (i.e., an interdependent collection of individuals and their technology that change together over time). Following this hypothesis, team researchers have adopted dynamical approaches to better understand the team cognitive processes and states that form team cognition, as well as how they emerge over time. One approach focuses on team coordination dynamics, which examines the coupling of signals between interacting individuals in various modalities, and has been shown to reflect aspects of team functioning including team cognition. However, how changes in team coordination relate to high-level team cognitive processes and states, as well as important events, are not yet fully understood. To this end, we advance a methodological framework for researching team cognition under the dynamical hypothesis. Subsequently, we provided an empirical case-study application of this framework. Thereby, this work contributes methodologically and empirically to a deeper understanding of team cognition, the dynamical hypothesis, and the synergy between them.

A Review of Using Wearable Technology to Assess Team Functioning and Performance

Wearable technology enables collecting continuous in situ data from multiple people in various modalities, which can enhance team research and support, as the dynamic coupling of signals between interacting individuals (i.e., team coordination dynamics) is believed to reflect underlying processes and states of team functioning and performance. We conducted a systematic review on existing literature to evaluate the prospective use of wearable technology in research and practice. Using the IMOI framework as an organizing tool, our review revealed considerable support linking team coordination dynamics in different modalities to team functioning and performance, but also explicated the field’s nascent status.